Formosa Plastics (Taiwan)

Due to limited research on interfacial shear stress (ISS) and critical fiber length (Lc) in rubber-based composites, this study systematically investigates how fiber length, orientation, and bonding agents influence the mechanical properties of NBR/PA6 composites, focusing on evaluating ISS and Lc. Composite samples with fibers of varying lengths (1–12 mm) were produced, incorporating different bonding agents. Preparation involved internal mixing followed by processing on a two-roll mill to induce fiber orientation. Tests, including tensile, fiber pull-out, FTIR analysis, SEM imaging, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, were conducted to assess the composites’ mechanical properties and micromechanics. The addition of bonding agents significantly reduced the critical fiber length, a result attributed to increased ISS. This improved fiber-matrix interaction was confirmed by decreased void content and FTIR analysis, which showed covalent and hydrogen bonds between fibers and the matrix. However, excessive bonding agent (beyond 5 phr for epoxy resin) caused phase separation and overplasticization, while high fiber content led to aggregation and hindered interfacial bonding, lowering ISS. Tensile strength increased with fiber length up to 9 mm but decreased afterward due to fiber entanglement and uneven dispersion, reducing reinforcement efficiency. Evaluation of theoretical models showed decreased accuracy at high fiber aspect ratios. These findings suggest that optimizing fiber-reinforced rubber composites involves maintaining fiber lengths above the critical length, using moderate fiber content, and applying suitable interfacial adhesion strategies.

The raw water in southern Taiwan has high hardness and high silica (SiO2) characteristics. If the high SiO2-content water is used as a makeup water source for cooling towers (CT), the SiO2 concentration in the tower blowdown (BD) would exceed the saturation level (120 mg/L) within a short operational period. The objective of this study was to develop a combined coprecipitation (first stage) and membrane desalination [ultrafiltration (UF)/reverse osmosis (RO) (second stage)] system to enhance the water reclamation efficiency of cooling tower (CT) in the petrochemical industry. Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater containing magnesium ions (Mg2+) and cooling tower blowdown (CTBD) were mixed, and Mg2+ and silica (SiO2) were removed through the coprecipitation process (core mechanism). The supernatant was directed to the UF/RO for reclamation. Results show that alkaline environments promoted the creation of Mg2+─SiO2 coprecipitates [Mg3Si2O5(OH)4, Mg2SiO4 and MgSiO3], which allowed for the effective removal of SiO2. Under alkaline conditions, when the molar ratio of Mg2+/calcium ions (Ca2+)∶SiO2 was 1∶1, Mg2+ exhibited more pronounced advantages for SiO2 removal. The maximum SiO2 removal rate reached 99% in the Mg2+∶SiO2 group, compared to 75% in the Ca2+∶SiO2 group. Mg2+ showed a stronger correlation (R2=0.95) with SiO2 removal than Ca2+ (R2=0.61355). Following the coprecipitation process, the supernatant was transferred to the UF/RO for desalination. The pilot-scale study results indicate that up to 92% of SiO2 in CTBD could be removed. When the volume ratio of FGD wastewater to CTBD was 1∶5 (pH=10.5), the SiO2 concentration was reduced to below 25 mg/L. The UF/RO treatment results show that the conductivity, alkalinity, and Mg2+ concentrations were reduced to 179 μS/cm, 15 mg as CaCO3/L, and not detectable, respectively. The regenerated water is suitable for reuse as makeup water for CT.

Manufacturers employ inverse suspension polymerization to increase water absorption and absorption under the pressure of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) used in personal hygiene products. Researchers have primarily focused on maximizing the water absorption capacity of SAPs when saturated, often by maximizing the swelling ratio. However, there is a scarcity of literature addressing the fast absorption properties necessary for user comfort and dryness in real-world applications. In this study, we assembled PAA-based SAP microparticles in two different sizes to produce a novel capillary diffusion effect, aimed at enhancing water retention capacity after 1 min of absorption (RCW-1), capable of absorbing more water before swelling. We prepared 30-40 μm SAP microparticles (SAP-1), showing high RCW-1 but very low absorption against a pressure of 0.3 psi (AAP-0.3). We removed the oil phase and added fresh reaction medium to continuously aggregate and grow SAP-1 into larger particles (SAP-2) with a high AAP-0.3 and low RCW-1. Using fluorescence microscopy analysis, we were surprised to find that the small gaps between different-sized SAP microparticles could form water channels, allowing water to diffuse among the internal SAP particles through capillary force, providing rapid water absorption. By mixing SAP-1 and SAP-2 in different proportions, we were able to assemble the SAPs into grape-like clusters, achieving an RCW-1 of 197.97 ± 8.08 g/g and an AAP-0.3 of 21.51 ± 1.85 g/g. The ratio of SAP-1 to SAP-2 could be adjusted to produce clusters with different properties, allowing us to customize them for a wider variety of applications.

In regenerative periodontal treatment, barrier membranes restore periodontal support and aid tissue healing, but slow hard tissue regeneration can disrupt healing and cause tooth instability. This study aimed to fabricate a periodontal membrane through electrospinning poly(L-lactide-co-D, L-lactide) with varying β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) percentages (0%, 10%, 30%, and 40%) treated with hyaluronic acid to enhance bone regeneration in alveolar bone defects. Their ability to promote biomimetic mineralization was characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis, wettability, and mechanical properties. Biocompatibility and osteogenic differentiation were evaluated by examining BMSCs’ behavior. In vivo, the PLA/β-TCP membrane’s potential to promote bone regeneration was assessed through CT imaging and histological examination. FESEM analysis revealed β-TCP agglomerations within PLA fibers, increasing tensile strength. Water contact angle measurements showed better wettability and higher cell viability after hyaluronic acid treatment, indicating non-cytotoxicity. Membranes with 10% and 30% (w/w) β-TCP significantly enhanced cellular activities, including proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. Animal tests showed a significant bone growth rate increase to 28.9% in the experimental group compared to 24.9% with the commercial product Epi-Guide after three months. Overall, PLA with 30% β-TCP optimally promoted periodontal hard tissue repair and potentially enhanced bone regeneration.

Climate change exacerbates flood hazards, resulting in risks to real estate values that should be considered by long-term investors. Flood risk presents two major financial risks: market risk and credit risk. Market risk refers to potential property value loss, and credit risk increases the likelihood of mortgage defaults. However, methods and comprehensive data for quantifying global real estate flood risks are lacking. To address this problem, this paper proposes two flood risk assessment frameworks: the local-oriented approach (LOA) and global-oriented approach (GOA). Two hazard and three vulnerability assessment methods are also introduced to support these frameworks. The LOA vulnerability estimates of regions with complete records are required to support the GOA. Taiwan was selected as an example for the LOA assessment, and the results were used to estimate vulnerability overseas in GOA assessments. The results of case studies for buildings located in four cities in different countries were compared. The proposed framework enables investors and asset owners to globally quantify climate risks in real estate, even when the available data are incomplete. Users can choose the most appropriate approach on the basis of the available data and their tolerance for uncertainty.

Leakage with smoke is often accompanied by fire and explosion hazards. Detecting smoke helps gain time for crisis management. This study aims to address this issue by establishing a video smoke detection system, based on a convolutional neural network (CNN), with the help of smoke synthesis, auto-annotation, and an attention mechanism by fusing gray histogram image information. Additionally, the study incorporates the domain adversarial training of neural networks (DANN) to investigate the effect of domain shifts when adapting the smoke detection model from one injection molding machine to another on-site. It achieves the function of domain confusion without requiring labeling, as well as the automatic extraction of domain features and automatic adversarial training, using target domain data. Compared to deep domain confusion (DDC), naïve DANN, and the domain separation network (DSN), the proposed method achieves the highest accuracy rates of 93.17% and 91.35% in both scenarios. Furthermore, the experiment employs t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) to facilitate fast training and smoke detection between machines by leveraging domain adaption features.

Abstract Highly thermally and electrically conductive polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites were prepared by incorporating high‐aspect‐ratio copper nanowires (CuNW). Surface treatment of the CuNW was important for dispersion and compatibility. A CuNW network was first embedded in a PP matrix, followed by removal of the protective layer on CuNW. At a volume fraction of 2.5%, the thermal conductivity was enhanced by 234% compared to the neat PP. The electrical conductivity significantly increased to 500 S/cm, which is 16 orders of magnitude greater than the neat PP. This PP nanocomposite is attractive for housings for electronic devices and antistatic packaging.

Under intense industry competition, decision makers must ensure that products demanded by consumers can be quickly produced with minimum production cost. However, because uncertainties are unavoidable and inevitably affect decision makers, numerous studies have discussed how to control uncertainties or minimize their effects. Multiple uncertainties that interact simultaneously may cause a combined effect in actual systems. Therefore, this study presents a robust optimization model with two uncertainties, extending the method of robust optimization with one uncertainty. To demonstrate the applicability of the proposed model with two uncertainties, this study uses the supplier selection problem with component purchase quantity allocation in supply chain management as an analysis case. This considers the reliability of production and transportation and develops a multi-objective robust optimization model with two uncertainties. In addition, a nondominated sorting genetic algorithm is proposed for solving the proposed multi-objective robust optimization model. The relationship between price of robustness and budget parameters is explored by considering the robust optimization model with production and transportation uncertainties proposed in this study. Finally, there is a comparative analysis between the results for price of robustness in the proposed two-uncertainty model and in the one-uncertainty model.

BackgroundIn some jurisdictions, patients and patient groups may be invited to provide input when Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is used to inform decisions about which medicines should be subsidised or funded. This input can help frame the evidence from a patient perspective, address uncertainties in the evidence and interpret it for the local setting. However, there is currently no evidence linking patient involvement with positive reimbursement decisions.AimWe aimed to understand the expectations of patient involvement in the reimbursement process, especially among cancer patient advocacy groups (PAGs) in New Zealand (Aotearoa), South Korea and Taiwan.MethodsWe developed an online survey to help understand the role that cancer PAGs play in reimbursement processes and identify knowledge gaps about the processes that might impact the efforts of PAGs. The survey elicited the views of staff and patients affiliated with PAGs (n = 43) on current practices and how the assessment and reimbursement of new cancer drugs might be improved.ResultsThere was variability in knowledge of the HTA assessment processes and in experience of being involved in them. Those with HTA experience were more likely to have confidence in the process. Those who had not been involved tended to have little awareness of, or frustration with, decision-making processes. Most identified cost, finances and economic assessments as key considerations in current processes. Some respondents had clear ideas about how their knowledge and involvement could improve processes to determine the value of new medicines. However, for many, a lack of information about the basis for decision making and opportunities to be involved was a barrier to identifying process improvement.ConclusionsHTA is implemented primarily in countries seeking to have fair and equitable processes for funding medicines. PAGs often recognise the financial challenges of funding new medicines and share the desire for procedural fairness. The connection PAGs make between patient involvement and improved access to new medicines may be based on the belief they can add information to the evidence base, help solve problems, ensure fairness through transparency and/or influence the culture towards increased access to medicines they value.